Hyderabad: Defending champions NorthEast United FC began the Guwahati chapter of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup in emphatic fashion, registering a commanding 6-0 victory over Bodoland FC in the opening Group F fixture at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday.
Returning talisman Alaaeddine Ajaraie stole the show with a brilliant hat-trick, while Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, Redeem Tlang and Antonio Moyano also found the scoresheet as the Highlanders made the perfect start to their title defence.
Despite their dominance, the Highlanders had to wait until first-half stoppage time to break the deadlock. After Bodoland surrendered possession inside their own half, Ajaraie displayed sublime composure inside the penalty area, cushioning the ball before calmly rolling a left-footed finish beyond the advancing goalkeeper to give his side a deserved lead.
Bodoland began the second half brightly, winning an early corner and showing greater attacking intent. Substitute Manabir Basumatary impressed with some strong tackles, while Rituraj Mohan and Diengdoh looked to probe the Highlanders’ defence from the right.
However, NorthEast soon regained complete control and doubled their lead in the 58th minute. Mohammed Arshaf threaded an excellent through ball into the path of Jithin on the right, whose low cross into the six-yard box was turned home by Lalrinzuala from close range.
Ajaraie grabbed his second just nine minutes later after Macarton Louis Nickson’s delivery caused confusion inside the Bodoland penalty area. A defensive misjudgement left the ball loose, and the Moroccan forward reacted quickest before delicately lifting his finish over the advancing Daimary to make it 3-0.
The Highlanders continued to attack relentlessly. Substitute Parthib Gogoi came close with a near-post header before another incisive move produced the fourth goal in the 70th minute. Macarton once again turned provider, threading a perfectly weighted pass between the two central defenders for Redeem Tlang, who calmly slotted home his first goal of the tournament.
Ajaraie completed a memorable hat-trick in the 86th minute with another piece of individual brilliance. Beating two defenders with quick footwork after being released by a defence-splitting pass from deep, he calmly guided a right-footed finish into the far corner to put the result beyond any doubt.
There was still time for one more goal in stoppage time. Ajaraie turned provider with a delightful lofted pass to Parthib Gogoi on the left, and the winger unselfishly squared the ball across goal for substitute Antonio Moyano, who applied the simplest of finishes to complete a resounding 6-0 victory.